Some early childhood services currently employ or engage persons to deliver a funded program who are not able to register as an Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) with the VIT. These persons include:
- teachers who completed their early childhood qualification a number of years ago and their qualification is no longer recognised as a teaching qualification under the current regulations
- qualified primary school teachers who are in the process of undertaking an approved early childhood teaching qualification
In circumstances where the person employed to deliver the funded kindergarten program is unable to register as an ECT with the VIT, the early childhood service must contact the relevant regional Department officer to discuss the application process to have the person who is not a registered ECT deliver a funded kindergarten program. This involves:
- the person applying for a grant of a temporary approval to be engaged or employed in the early childhood service in place of a registered ECT for the purposes of meeting kindergarten funding guidelines
- the early childhood service seeking an exemption from the kindergarten funding guidelines for registered ECT either because the early childhood service holds a waiver or a children’s services exemption; or the Secretary is satisfied that the early childhood service has made reasonable attempts to employ or engage a registered ECT.
If an exemption is granted by the Secretary (or their delegate), the early childhood service may employ or engage a person holding a temporary approval in place of a registered ECT for the purposes of meeting kindergarten funding requirements.
To apply for a temporary approval, you need to complete and submit the Application for temporary approval to work in place of an early childhood teacher.
To seek an exemption from the kindergarten funding guidelines for registered ECT, you need to complete and submit the Exemption from funding requirements for services.
If you are a diploma qualified educator who do not yet hold an ECT qualification, please refer to question “Who is a Person taken to be an Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) under regulation 242 of the National Regulations?
For more information, see:
Kindergarten Funding Guide